THE ADMINISTRATIVE TRINITY: A VALUE BASED SOLUTION TO POLICE REFORM IN THE UNITED STATES

Abstract

Current calls for police reform consistently focus on three areas: a lack of effective policy, over-inflated budgets, and incomplete data. As such, this thesis asks which role the administrative trinity—the functions of policy, budget, and technology—plays in police professionalization and reform. This thesis explores literature related to professionalization and the administrative functions in the armed forces and civil-military reform. Additionally, nine executive leaders from Scottsdale and Tempe, Arizona, were interviewed to better understand the role that these three administrative functions have on their police departments and the perceptions of professionalism. The research identified a relationship between the values of the community, the process in which the administrative trinity is applied, and the professional legitimacy that is perceived by the community. In this context, this thesis recommends that to support reform efforts, police departments should ensure alignment of their values to how they adopt policy, implement budgets, and evaluate through technology.